Letters to the editor

Volunteerism

The well-meaning folks who want schools to require parent participation have odd definitions of "volunteer" and "emerging." My experience on Planet Earth runs counter to those definitions.

I volunteered for the Navy when I was 17 years old. That meant that I made a decision, sought out a recruiter, got my father's permission and signed my name on the dotted line. I was not drafted or given an option by a benevolent judge to do four years in the service or two years in the slammer. I volunteered.

Further, if I fail to complete required OSHA training at work or blow off my income taxes, I am not "emerging"; I am "delinquent." Calling it "emerging" is a sugar-coated twisting of words.

The best thing a parent can do is send a well-fed, well-rested and well-behaved child to school so a teacher has something to work with, not a child addled and strung out by round-the-clock entertainment and self-indulged chaos on the part of the parent or parents.

Volunteering in schools is a great and noble thing to do. "Required volunteerism" is compulsion, not volunteering.

Craig S. Faust

Church Creek Drive

Charleston

I-526 question

In response to a Jan. 16 Post and Courier article about completing I-526, I ask:

Is it possible that a 7.1-mile stretch of I-526 linking the Mark Clark Expressway (Mount Pleasant to Savannah Highway) and James Island connector (Folly Road to downtown Charleston) is as important in facilitating heavy traffic and creating timely access as the existing corridors?

Considering the benefit to working people, service contractors, emergency services, professional and medical services, and the convenience to shopping areas and downtown entertainment, I believe the undeniable answer is a resounding "yes."

Our state and local leaders are fully aware of the source of negative movement and press and are well informed of the genuine need and majority support for completing this expressway project.

Jim Temple

Headquarters Plantation Drive

Johns Island

Chevis Clark

I recently attended the funeral of a dear friend, Chevis Clark. He was a person of great quality, sensitivity, depth and creativity with dedication to his art. Once described as the "artist's artist," he taught me a lot about painting -- what to look for -- how to see and not just look. He taught me about life, but I was too stubborn to admit it then.

Chevis was a charter member of the Charleston Art Guild. He introduced me to the Guild in 1956. I joined the 35 members, the only artists group in Charleston at the time. The Guild now boasts a membership of over 700. He also served several years as president.

Chevis and I spent many hours enjoying "plein air" painting before that term was used. We were just painting outdoors. Together we painted several restaurant murals and church baptistries.

Chevis lived a long, productive and creative life. He suffered ill health in later years, but even in the worst of times he never stopped creating works of art. As writer and illustrator James Thurber wrote, "Men should strive to learn before they die, what they are running from, and to, and why." Chevis knew.

Charles Parnelle

Darwin Street

Charleston

New information

I must be incredibly naive. I thought the Susan B. Komen Foundation funds were used for breast cancer research. How did Planned Parenthood get involved?

How long has this been going on? I'm glad that this info has been brought for scrutiny by the public.

Patricia B. Connor

Lancashire Street

Charleston

Barber shop closes

Shirley Greene is a columnist who should be commended for her delightful description of Lee's, the Line Street Barber Shop, which was closed recently by Richard Green, its owner for 40 years.

As Ms. Greene noted, the shop was a fixture that was moved from Spring Street to Ashley Avenue before it was closed by Mr. Green and his daughter, Susan Coley.

They will be sorely missed.

Richard Lyons

Gadsden Street

Charleston

Connector cyclists

I don't understand closing the James Island connector to one form of vehicular traffic. The bicycle is the cleanest mode of transportation there is. I believe every road should have enough space on the shoulder to allow bicyclists to travel without harm from larger vehicles.

There is more than adequate space along each side of the connector to allow bicycle traffic. One cyclist was killed, it is true, but that reportedly resulted from the driver of a van not paying attention. There are no trees or other obstacles to block vision on that span of road.

In Mount Pleasant the driver of a four-wheel vehicle slammed into -- not one but two -- motorcyclists who were sitting at a red light. They were killed. Did we see Mount Pleasant banning motorcyclists from Highway 17? I certainly don't remember that happening.

If a ban on cyclists exists on the connector, why isn't there a ban on all highways? Danger is present wherever a roadway is shared by cyclists and autos.

Space alongside lanes for automobile traffic on the connector is marked with a painted line. If the line is not sufficient then put up a barrier that is. Yellow posts at intervals might work, as might studs on the road surface to alert drivers they are moving into an area not meant for them. Or a concrete barrier.

Why punish those who want a simpler means of transportation because of this accident? It's a step backward.

We need to be more strict with drivers of machines that can prove lethal. We are rewarding the wrong element with this decision.

Change this decision, and simply make the ride safe for the environmentally conscious.

Alfred F. Croucher III

Riverland Drive

Charleston

Sports expense

The headlines, "Big upgrade to football facilities" (USC) and "Committed to football" (Clemson), indicate the priorities of the people of this state. We need indoor facilities, grass in our tailgating areas, a bigger media board, all making the USC competitive in recruiting football players.

As an educator my entire life, I would like great educational curricula to be the criteria for choice. Otherwise, offer a degree in football, basketball or some other highly recruited sport.

I have heard "no taxpayer money goes into sports expense." Who do you think pays the money that pays the expenses?

If colleges were as effective raising money for academic achievement as for bigger media boards, enthusiasm for academics and funding for innovative programs could be the rule not the exception.

South Carolina will not become competitive and inviting as a place to call home until we provide superior and affordable education opportunities to all youth.

Let's put the emphasis where it belongs -- on education -- and make headlines indicate our priorities: "Big upgrade to technical facilities to attract industry" or "Committed to teacher education."

Elizabeth Bliss

Tradition Circle

Mount Pleasant

Bizarre hobby

The article that ran in "Your Lowcountry" Section Jan. 19 about Summerville High's principal Buddy Chapel was, at best, sickening. It appears that some people believe Mr. Chapel is a great role model for students. However, I think that an accurate description of Mr. Chapel's hobby is that it's disgusting.

Those "trophies" have no place in a public school setting. Period. We're all aware that certain hot topics can't be discussed, viewed or celebrated in public school. Yet Mr. Chapel is permitted to display in school dead, stuffed animals he gunned down for fun, including a majestic African lioness.

Isn't that a double-standard?

Big game sport hunting in Africa is a controversial issue.

Mr. Chapel was quoted as saying that he wants his students to know that he's more than just a principal. The fact that Mr. Chapel is a former Marine and loves sport hunting is not relevant to his current profession.

There are many outstanding public school principals, male and female, who have never handled a gun or served in the military.

Mr. Chapel's job is to mentor students, support teachers and make sure students are being educating to the best of their abilities.

Dorchester District Two, please do the right thing and require Mr. Chapel to remove his "trophies" from school grounds immediately.

My children graduated from Summerville High, and they too are sad and angry that this has been allowed.

Alison G. Harvey

East Carolina Avenue

Summerville

Political battles

I take more than a pedestrian interest in today's political battles. I am a former Washington lobbyist, and I know these people. But that's not my point.

I remember the day my dad told me he had switched from being a Democrat to the other side, and he was an inside player in the party back in the day. His comment to me was, "Son, I didn't leave the party, they left me."

Today, just like him, I'm declaring I am a bona fide Independent. Both parties have left me.

So where do I sign up?

Bobby Reese

Colonel Vanderhorst Circle

Mount Pleasant

'Open for business'

Mount Pleasant Town Council keeps saying, "We're open for business." They want to bring as much new business as possible into town. I'm sure it's to bring in more vitality and increase the tax base.

At its Jan. 4 Economic Development Committee meeting the chair, Chris O'Neal, even announced the creation of an Economic Development Board. What I don't understand is why they keep talking about new construction for new businesses. I asked how much vacant space we already have in Mount Pleasant and why we don't focus on filling that first.

Dark, empty commercial space does not bode well to prospective commercial clients. Isn't this similar to the effect that vacant, foreclosed houses have on a neighborhood?

A gentleman in the audience from Mount Pleasant Waterworks stated that there are 2,700 vacant commercial and residential buildings in Mount Pleasant.

Mount Pleasant Town Council should create an incentive plan to fill up our vacant buildings so that when we say that "we're open for business" we look healthy rather than still recovering from the recession.

Pat Sullivan

Plantation Court

Mount Pleasant